3.2 DocType Can it still be used?

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3.2 DocType Can it still be used?

or will my page blow up

mossimo

11:54 pm on Oct 31, 2003 (gmt 0)

Hello,

I have a very special menu bar (open source download) that uses the DocType
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2 Final//EN">

It will fail visually if I try a more modern DocType and the script is to complex & my JavaScript skills to poor to upgrade to work with modern DocTypes.

My question is there anything wrong with using DTD 3.2, the script is a navbar for an admin section an it's users will have IE6 only so cross browser is no issue.

Sorry for my ignorance but 3.2 was before my time and I’m only familiar with current standards.

Thanks
mossimo

Longhaired Genius

12:33 am on Nov 1, 2003 (gmt 0)

This sounds like fragile, out-of-date code and, personally, I wouldn't use it. How special can a menubar be? There's nothing wrong with html 3.2 per se but the fact that the script blows up under a later doctype is a bad sign.

tedster

2:13 am on Nov 1, 2003 (gmt 0)

What happens if you use a PARTIAL 4.01 doctype -- that is, don't include the URL portion.

Modern browsers such as IE6 should simply go into quirks mode and render your code just fine. If that's not the case, I can't imagine what you've got your hands on, but I would definitely stay away from using it until it's been re-coded.

The doctype shouldn't affect javascript support, or even css support - only HTML rendering. As I understand it, support for javascript or css is browser dependent, not DTD dependent.

mossimo

9:24 pm on Nov 1, 2003 (gmt 0)

The script is an xp style collapsible menu bar and the most impressive I have ever seen. It was writing in 2003 so I have no idea why the old doctype? Looking at the code its well writing and efficient but relies heavily on MS functions and no use of DOM.

I thought about that to tedster and your rite, don't include the URL portion and through it into quirks mode and it works fine!

I guess I can live with that I just won’t put it in my resume.;)

GOOD <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">